Here in Saskatchewan, history is laid out in front of us, painted under our big living sky’s. Every back road you drive on there is a story to be found. I guess that’s the reason exploring Saskatchewan is so intriguing to me. The landscape speckled with old, churches, houses, barns and schools. Each of them tell us the story of our past you can almost hear whispered on the wind.

There is so many hidden gems, but my favourite are those that can be found in my own back yard. The most amazing part is seeing history come back to life, to be enjoyed again and filling those buildings with laughter and memories. I came across one of these amazing gems recently between Alsask and Marengo in the old hamlet of Merid.

A quaint B&B and event venue Merid & Magna is nestled among some rolling hills off the main highway 7. With spectacular views of the Saskatchewan prairies. That would be selling point right there for me, but what makes this place unique and intriguing is that its two old school houses repurposed into beautiful rooms with high ceilings that offer up some history as well as an extremely cozy atmosphere where you can immerse yourself in the true soul of the Saskatchewan prairies.

On the property sits the old Merid school, originally constructed in 1912. This one room school house has one of the most unique designs that I have seen on the prairies, with these amazing windows facing south that would have basked the children in the warm prairie sun. The school operate until 1953 and eventually the building was used as a community center until the 1980’s. A cairn and flagpole were added to the site in 1980 to commemorate both Merid and the school. It is the last remaining building of the Merid Hamlet.

The second Building on the property is Magna Bonum School that was constructed in 1911 in the RM of Milton Located North of Marengo. In the 1960’s it was moved into Marengo as an extra classroom and later was in use as a Hall. In 2016 the owners of this beautiful B&B saved this amazing piece of history from being lost and torn down. Which in itself makes this particular building a treasure

Kathy & Keith Warrington completed renovations in 2021 after seven years of off and on restorations preserving a small piece of our history in a glorious manner. They managed to bring modern comfort with a sense of history into spaces it is hard not to feel at home in. Simply an amazing place for a get away, bringing family and friends together or any event for that matter. As the owners say - There is something about being “in the middle of nowhere” that seems to be the key to building memories, feeling profound peace and being able to breathe.

The restorations of these amazing pieces of history are done in meticulous detail. places need to be seen to be truly enjoyed for the treasures they are. They make you feel at home and welcome in every way as well as bringing a sense of peace enjoying the beauty of “The Middle Of Nowhere” I know that these building’s will continue to be filled with laughter and memories for years to come.

To enjoy these gems yourself visit https://www.meridandmagna.com/

Prairie Gems - Merid & Magna

Prairie Oddities-Ponteix’s Mo